Colombia head coach José Pékerman still believes Radamel Falcao can make it back to full health in time for the World Cup.
He named Falcao to his 30-man provisional roster for the World Cup on Tuesday, although the Monaco star forward is still recovering from ACL surgery to his left knee in January. Earlier this month, his doctor indicated that Falcao could be ready to join training sessions by the end of May.
MLS fans will recognize two of the other names on the 30-man list: on-loan Philadelphia Union center back Carlos Valdés and ex-Union 'keeper Faryd Mondragón. Former Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero, however, did not make the squad; he scored 13 goals in his inaugural season for Sporting CP in Portugal, but last netted on Dec. 8.
The other familiar names include veteran centerback Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul), who faced Sporting Kansas City during the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals earlier this year, Porto's Jackson Martínez and Falcao's teammate at Monaco, James Rodríguez.
Colombia, who play in Group C against the likes of Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan, will have to determine a final 23-man roster for Brazil before the June 2 FIFA deadline.
GOALKEEPERS (3):
David Ospina (OGC Nice - France / 25yrs)
Faryd Mondragón (Deportivo Cali - Colombia / 42yrs)
Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe - Colombia / 25yrs)
DEFENDERS (9):
Mario Yepes (Atalanta - Italy / 38yrs)
Cristian Zapata (AC Milan - Italy / 27yrs)
Pablo Armero (West Ham United - England / 27yrs)
Camilo Zúñiga (Napoli - Italy / 28yrs)
Aquivaldo Mosquera (Club America - Mexico / 32yrs)
Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven - Holland / 22yrs)
Luis Amaranto Perea (Cruz Azul - Mexico / 35yrs)
Eder Álvarez Balanta (River Plate - Argentina / 21yrs)
Carlos Valdés (San Lorenzo - Argentina / 28yrs)
MIDFIELDERS (11):
Fredy Guarín (Inter Milan - Italy / 27yrs)
Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina - Italy / 25yrs)
James Rodríguez (Monaco - France / 22yrs)
Abel Aguilar (Toulouse - France / 29yrs)
Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto - Portugal / 21yrs)
Carlos Sánchez (Elche - Spain / 28yrs)
Macnelly Torres (Al Shabab - Saudi Arabia / 29yrs)
Aldo Leao Ramírez (Morelia - Mexico / 33yrs)
Edwin Valencia (Fluminense - Brazil / 29yrs)
Alexander Mejía (Atletico Nacional - Colombia / 25yrs)
Elkin Soto (Mainz 05 - Germany / 33yrs)
FORWARDS (7):
Radamel Falcao (Monaco - France / 28yrs)
Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari - Italy / 23yrs)
Luis Fernando Muriel (Udinese - Italy / 23yrs)
Jackson Martínez (Porto - Portugal / 27yrs)
Carlos Bacca (Sevilla - Spain / 27yrs)
Adrián Ramos (Hertha Berlin - Germany / 28yrs)
Teofilo Gutiérrez (River Plate - Argentina / 28yrs)
